The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

The moment Creighton laid eyes on Seth, fury bubbled up within him. It was clear as day that Danielle was up to something.

Besides whether she knew if Cicely would bring classmates home today, causing any misunderstanding with Seth, just the fact that she asked Seth to tutor her had always been a sore point for Cicely.

Cicely had been biting her tongue for days now, not speaking a word of it, but her silence didn’t mean it didn’t bother her. Tutoring was one thing, but at least they used to di it out of sight, so Cicely didn’t have to fret over it. But now, Danielle had to go and bring Seth straight into the lion’s den. If that wasn’t rubbing salt in the wound, Creighton didn’t know what was.

“Hey Uncle Creighton,” Danielle greeted him as if nothing was amiss.

Even though Creighton was seething inside, he managed a gruff, “Hey,” without letting his face betray too much of his displeasure.

“Mr. Creighton,” Seth greeted him in turn, his voice flat and expressionless, clearly just going through the motions.d2

Creighton nodded, “Why don’t you stay for dinner? I’ll tell the kitchen to whip up something extra.”

Surprisingly, Seth nodded in agreement.

Danielle didn’t know whether to be pleased or distressed. If she hadn’t told him about Cicely getting late-night tutoring from Joel, or mentioned the possibility of Cicely bringing Joel home for study sessions, would he have agreed to come back with her today?

“Seth, come on up to my room,” Danielle said, pulling herself back to the present.

There was a brief silence before Seth replied indifferently, “Go through what you’re confident with first. I’ll be in the living room if you need me.”

Danielle opened her mouth to say something else, but Seth had already settled onto the couch.

At Creighton’s age, he enjoyed a good cup of tea and the occasional chess game. The living room’s coffee table boasted a fancy tea set, and Seth’s gaze lingered there for a moment.

Creighton felt a twinge of satisfaction at Seth’s cautious move and caught Seth’s eye as he pushed the freshly brewed tea that the maid had brought over. Creighton began to heat the water himself, and the maid, sensing his intent to indulge in his tea ritual, discreetly left the room.

Danielle, sensing the shift in the air, knew that nothing she said would change the situation. With a bitten lip, she headed upstairs.

It was the first time Seth sat with Creighton like this, his eyes quietly following Creighton’s movements, his face betraying no emotion. It wasn’t until Creighton set a cup of tea in front of him that he murmured a thank you.

Creighton gave a small smile. “University life should be pretty relaxed, but I haven’t heard about you getting involved with the Diaz family business. Patty has been hoping you’d take an interest.”

Creighton was well aware of Seth’s level of involvement, or lack thereof, in the company.

Seth nodded, “Not at the moment.”

start getting involved. Drop by the office more often,

a sip from the tea cup and

Cicely might have a tough road ahead. Creighton normally didn’t meddle in the kids’ affairs, but when it came to his only

her from the messier circles, so she’s quite straightforward. Doesn’t have

twitched. “You have something else to say, Mr.

out for her. And if things work out between you two, that would be ideal. The

with a smile, “I trust her character, but not so much her business

is long and uncertain. She might like me

head, “You’re right, but perhaps you underestimate the impact of a girl’s first love. It’s irreplaceable, even if someone better comes along. Do

for a split second,

Creighton was merely stating his hopes

his watch. Half an hour had passed. Seth’s eyes briefly fixed on the door, his lips pressed into

the day before, you might not have run into Cicely. Today, she’s got a friend over for a study session. You should join them for dinner; she’d

brow darkened,

got studious. She’s upstairs with a

temperament, which was as cool and deep as an Autumn lake. He

broke the silence, “I heard you had a bit of a scuffle with some classmates at school the other day, even came to blows. I

tightened slightly. Though Creighton’s tone was inquisitive, Seth could detect a shrewdness in his manner, a sense of being seen through. It was an unsettling feeling, unprovoked

a slight frown, he replied, “At our age, most of us have our impulsive moments.

meaningful smile playing on his lips. “Is that

Seth didn’t reply again.

Creighton showing no intention of leaving and Seth not moving aside, Danielle had no

chance—except for Cicely. It wasn’t that he wasn’t clear enough. It was just that Cicely always had the

going through the

Danielle nodded.

was the only one bold

workbook, Danielle exhaled softly. “The exams are the day after tomorrow. I think I’ll

“Mhm.”

organize my homework.” She

the housekeeper came to inform Creighton

see how their studies are coming along. They can come down for dinner

“Understood.”

“Miss, dinner is prepared, and your father is

but she was still